XJ-S V12 Archeology (Distributor Questions)

[John Napoli <jgn@li.net>]

As the result of other work I'm doing on my car (an 82 XJ-S HE) I pulled
my distributor apart.  I tested the centrifugal advance (free and moving
properly -- hooray!) and the vacuum advance.

The vacuum advance is dead.  Applying vacuum to the diaphragm results in
no movement; in fact, the unit will not hold any vacuum at all.  The
vacuum advance on the distributor from my donor engine behaves the same
way, so I guess they are both shot.

Questions:  

1.  Is it common for the vacuum advance units to fail?  I've got two, and
they're both dead.

2.  Are the vacuum advances rebuilable?

3.  If not, what is a good (inexpensive) source for a replacement?

4.  Is there an interchange from another distributer?  Either direct
bolt-on (I mean pin-on) or by adapting?

5.  If no one knows of an interchange, what are the specs for the stock
vacuum advance to help me in finding an alternative?

6.  On some V12s, the vacuum advance covers the front right throttle stand
bolt.  Does this mean that the distributor was not installed 'properly'
(ie, according to M. Neal's directions in Kirby's book)?

7.  I happened to be at my local Jag dealer and enquired about the price
of the 'Distributor Service Kit' mentioned in Kirby's book.  Of course,
the parts guy never heard of it.  He would sell me each piece separately,
though (the distributor o-ring alone is over $8.00 US).  And of course,
none of it was in stock.  ANyone know of a good mail order source for this
kit?

The reason for question 4 is that if these things commonly quit, I would
prefer to fit a unit from another car that was less expensive, more
dependable, or both.

John

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Follow-Ups:

• Re: XJ-S V12 Archeology (Distributor Questions)
• From: Michael Neal <mneal@wco.com>

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